Charging ahead with electric vehicles

2017 Chevrolet Volt

Q. My son and his wife just bought a new electric vehicle. I was surprised that the cost was comparable to a gasoline-powered car. I’d like to learn more. What are the pros and cons of going electric?

A. The electric vehicle (EV) market is growing rapidly. There are good reasons why EVs are becoming more popular, but there are also potential drawbacks.

Let’s start with the basics: EVs are vehicles that plug into the electric grid for some or all of their power. There are two primary types. All-electric EVs—such as the Nissan LEAF—are powered entirely with electricity. Plug-in hybrid EVs—such as the Chevrolet Volt—are dual-fuel cars, meaning both the electric motor and the internal-combustion engine can propel the car.

A key benefit of EVs is that trips to the gas station are either vastly reduced or eliminated altogether. However, in lieu of gas refueling, EVs need to be recharged. At the lowest charging level, called Level 1, an hour of charging typically provides two to five miles of range per hour. Because the average light-duty car is parked for 12 hours per day at a residence, many EV drivers can use Level 1 for most of their charging needs. The fastest charging level, called DC Fast- Charging, can provide 60 to 80 miles of range in a 20-minute period.

Charging with electricity is nearly always cheaper than fueling with gasoline. An electric gallon—or “eGallon”—represents the cost of driving an EV the same distance a gasoline-powered vehicle could travel on one gallon of gasoline. On average, an eGallon is about one-third the cost of a gallon of gasoline. Also, in many places, electricity is a cleaner fuel source than gasoline. Although exact environmental benefits will vary, one recent study found that two-thirds of Americans live in regions where driving an EV is cleaner than driving a 50 mpg gas-powered car.

Another reason for the rise in EV ownership is recent reductions in the upfront cost of the cars. The batteries used in EVs are the most expensive component of the cars, but, thanks to improving production methods, the cost of batteries has dropped by more than 35 percent since 2010 and is expected to keep dropping. Because of cost reductions and technology improvements, EVs are hitting major performance and affordability milestones. For example, in 2016, General Motors released the Chevrolet Bolt—an all-electric EV with an estimated range of 238 miles per charge, costing about $30,000 after rebates.

Although longer-range and more affordable EVs are expected to hit the market soon, one drawback of EVs is that most current models have a range of less than 100 miles per charge. Public charging stations are increasingly available across the U.S., but “range anxiety” is still a concern for many potential buyers. Fortunately, the average American’s daily driving patterns are well-suited for EV use. More than half of all U.S. vehicle trips are between one and 10 miles. Even in rural areas, average daily drive distances for errands and commutes are well within the range of most currently available EVs.